Wire forming machine



Nov. 1, 1949. A. s. WAHL WIRE FORMING MACHINE '7 Sheets-Sheet 1 FiledAug. 22, 1944 m R 05 TT E W; mm A ATTO R N EY Nov. 1, 1949. A. s. WAHL2,486,450

WIRE FORMING MACHINE Filed Aug. 22, 1944 7 Sheets-Sheet 2 as F T l 5-;

1 72 I 59 a; i 64 as I z 6 70 5 6061 I 57- 1 39 J 77 lNVENTOR A LBERTS.WA HL BY ATTORNEY Nov. 1, 1949. A. s. WAHL 2,486,450

WIRE FORMING MACHINE Filed Aug. 22, 1944 Sheets-Sheet 3 ATTOl QNEY m KNEi: k

1 aw W 1 ,wu ww E n w NW 5 Nov. 1, 1949. A. s. WAHL 2,486,450

WIRE FORMING MACHINE Filed Aug. 22, 1944 '7 Sheets-Sheet 4 R WA HLINVENTO ALBERTS.

ATTORNEY 5 9 9/ F0, m aamw Nov. 1, 1949. A. s. WAHL WIRE FORMING MACHINE7 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed Aug. 22, 1944 INVENTOR ALBERT S WAHL ATTORNEYNov. 1, 1949. A. s. WAHL 2,436,450

WIRE FORMING MACHINE Filed Aug. 22, 1944 7 Sheets-Sheet 6 ATTORNEY Nov.1, 1949. A. s. WAHL 2,486,450

WIRE FORMING MACHINE Filed Aug. 22, 1944 7 Sheets-Sheet 7 WI 1| :11:W ul lllll 80 I,

(I lllllfllllllllll llllllllllllllllll" ll lllllllllll II I 69 67 1 i. I68 l /BD INVENT'QI Q ALBERTSWAHL ATTORNEY Patented Nova-1, 1949 wmaroams mclmm Albert S. Wahl, Jersey City, N.-J., minor to Solo ProductsCorporation, New York, N. Y., a corporation of New York ApplicationAugust 22, 1944, Serial No. 550,530

31 Claims. ((1140-71) This invention is broadly concerned with afunctionally and structurally improved wire forming machine andspecifically is directed to a completely automatic machine for enhancingthe 4 production of articles of manufacture of wire. Hitherto automaticmachines were utilized in making articles of manufacture of wire. Inactual practice suchtypes of automatic machines were designated as thesingle slide or multiple slide. Where the "slide type of automaticmachine is employed there is an appreciable amount of lost motionresulting in slower production. For example in the slide type ofautomatic wire forming machines, the wire feeding and wire bending meanseach is reciprocable. In the case of the reciprocable wire feedingmeans, the wire is gripped and pulled across the throat of the shapingmeans. Thereafter the reciprocating feeding means releases and retractsidly, preparatory to pulling another length of wire across the throat ofthe wire shaping means. Thus one half of the cycle of the reciprocablewire feeding means is wasted and this motion may be considered asdefinitely slowing production. In a similar manner the reciprocablebending means is only effecstrip shaping means during the time thatsimilar and previously cut predetermined lengths of wire or'metal stripare successively driven unidirectionally through novel wire shapingmeans. As a further object the invention provides means when desired forautomatically clinching the deformed wire as it leaves the wire shapinmeans. Further objects, advantages and functional and structural aspectsof the invention are: the provision of continuously rotating means forperiodically actuating escapement means to. oscillate novel wire cuttingmeans through which the tive on one half of its cycle, namely; at atime, i

it is directed towards and against the work, and thereafter on thiscycle it is idly operating. Thus further lost motion or loss of time isencountered.

The present invention has for its dominant object to provide anautomatic wire forming machine having an appreciably faster rate ofproduction than the so-called slide type of automatic machine. Theinvention has as a further object the provision of a serviceable wireforming machine wherein the wire which may be fully round, partly round,or polygonal in cross section and where desired may be of flat or ribbonmetal stock is intermittently fed across the throat of the wire shapingmeans by continuously rotating and companion rollers. Another importantobject of the invention is realized in successively deformingpredetermined lengths of wire by a plurality of stabilized andreinforced spatially arranged bending means on an endless chainunidirectionally driven through the throat of the wire shaping means andcompletely through the latter, thus wire is fed unidirectionally andintermittently; the provision of thrust take up means to preventdislodgement of the wire shaping means; the provision of novel means forautomatically strippingthe completed wire form from the machine; theprovision of adjustable means for taking up the slack of the endlessbelt carrying the plurality I of stabilized wire bending means; theprovision of means to permit-one of the rotatable wire feeding rollersto float to compensate for the variations in thicknesses of the wire fedbetween the companion wire feeding rollers; the provision of adjustablemeans for regulating one of the clinching rollers for accommodating wirehaving uncontrollable variations in thicknesses; the provision ofautomatic means for elevating the wire form on passing through thethroat of the wire shaping means. Another feature of the inventioncomprehends a novel method of automatically bending unidirectionally andintermittently fed wire across the throat of wire shaping means,

driving the bent wire through the shaping means with the aid of thebending means traveling in a unidirectionally guided path, and strippingthe shaped wire automatically on leaving the shaping means. Othersalient objects, features and advantages will also appear from thefollowing detailed specification considered in the light of theaccompanying drawings wherein:

Fig. 1 is a plan view of the wire forming maresulting in fasterproduction than is possible in of Fig.1. the case of the -slide type ofwire forming auto- Fig. 4 is a sectional view on the line 4-4 of maticmachines. A further and important object Fig. 1.

of the invention is realized in the provision of improved andserviceable means for enhancing the production in continuously butinterruptedly feeding successive predetermined lengths of wire crrelatively flat metal strip across wire or metal I Fig. 5 is a viewsimilar to Fig. 2, illustrating the adjustable chain slack take upmeans.

Fig. 6 is a transverse sectional view on the line 8-6 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 6A is a horizontal view partlyin section 3 i on the line-iA-JA ofFig. 5, illustrating the laterally adjustable shaft for one 'of thecrimping rollers.

Fig. 7 is a longitudinal sectional view on the line 1-1 of Fig. 1 etc...illustrating the hinged and floating bearing for one of the wire feedingrollers.

Fig. 8 is an enlarged perspective and exploded view of a fragmentaryportion of the machine, illustrating the spaced wire shaping blocks, alink of the continuously driven endless chain for driving apredetermined length of wire into the shaping blocks, and theoscillatory cutter for severing a predetermined length of wire prior toits reception in the shaping blocks.

Fig. 9 is a sectional view on the line 9--9 of Fig. 1 however alsoillustrating the cutter to indicate the neutral position of the latterat a time when the escapement is idling at which time the wire isfeeding through the cutter.

Fig. 10 is a view similar to Fig. 9 but showing the control means in aposition for actuating the escapement to drive the wire cutter in adirection towards the stopped wire to sever the latter.

Fig. 11 is a view similar to Fig. 9 but illustrating the control meansand cutter at the completion of the severing of the wire by the cutterand the control means in position to actuate the escapement forreturning the cutter to a neutral position.

Fig. 11A is a fragmentary perspective view of the control means or camsfor periodically oscillating the escapement.

Fig. 12 is a fragmentary view illustrating a stabilized wire bendingpost of the continuously driven endless chain about to bend and drive apredetermined length of wire into the throat of the wire shaping means.

Fig. 13 illustrates the wire bending post of Fig. 12 driving the nowbent wire form onto the inclined or cam faces for automatically drivingthe wireform into the shaping channels of the shaping blocks. v

Fig. 14 illustrates the wire bending post of Fig.

13 driving the wireform in the shaping channels of the shaping blocks.

Fig. 15 is a side view partly in section of one of the toothed links ofthe wire driving sprocket chain.

Fig. 16 is an enlarged transverse sectional view on the line I6l6 ofFig. 1 depicting one of the stabilized posts driving a wire form throughthe shaping blocks.

Fig. 1'7 is a side elevational view on the line l|--l'l of Fig. 16showing the key for absorbing the thrust applied to the anvil onsevering of the wire by the cutter during each complete cycle of thelatter.

Fig. 18 is a fragmentary plan view illustrating one of the wire drivingposts of a link of the wire driving chain just prior to severing of theunidirectional fed wire and at a time when the wire has been fed apredetermined length and interrupted momentarily.

Fig. 19 is a view similar to Fig. 18 and illustrates the wire cut to apredetermined length by the cutter at which-time the driving post of alink of the wire driving chain is ready to deform the wireintermediately thereof and feed the same into the wire forming channelsof the shaping blocks. v

Fig. 20 illustrates the deformed wire passing through the throat of thespaced wire forming blocks at which time the cutter is retracted andthrough which wire is again driven.

Fig. 21 shows the wireform further deformed as it is driven in theforming blocks.

Fig. 22 illustrates the wireform about to leave the shaping blocks to bereceived between the wire clinching or processing collars.

Fig. 23 shows the wire processing or clinching rollers about to crimpcorresponding portions of the wireform as it leaves the wire shapingblocks.

Fig. 24 illustrates the deformed or clinched wireform about to leave theforming and fixed. guide or shaping blocks although still furtherdeformed by the processing rollers.

Fig. 25 is a front view of the spaced wire shaping blocks.

Fig. 26 is a side view of the cutter keyed to its oscillatory shaft andillustrating the check nut and end plate of the cutter having alinedapertures or openings through which the wire is intermittently fed, andillustrating regulating figans on the end plate for adjusting thecutting Fig. 2'? is a horizontal sectional view taken on the line 2|2Iof Fig. 26 showing the regulating means for adjusting the wire cuttingtool.

Fig. 28 is a fragmentary plan view of the machine showing the regulatingmeans for adjusting the main drive shaft and consequently the wiredriving endless chain.

Fig. 29 is a rear elevational view of the line 2929 of Fig. 28.

Fig. 30 is a plan view, partly broken away, of the transmission gearing.

Fig. 31 is an elevational view partly in section I of one of the endbearings for the main drive shaft, shown attached to the bed of themachine and adjustable lengthwise of the bed.

Fig. 32 is an elevational view of the transmission taken on the bentplane X-Y of Fig. 30 particularly illustrating that portion thereof forcontinuously driving the crimping rollers, and

Fig. 33 is a portion of the transmission taken along the bent plane Y-Zof Fig. 30.

Broadly speaking the wire W (Fig. l) is fed through a braking device B,through rotary feed rollers l0 and II for intermittently feeding thewire W which travels through an oscillatory cutter generally denoted C,across a fixed anvil A, across the throat T (Fig. 8) of the spaced wireshaping blocks SB, and against the adjustable stop S.

The oscillatory cutter Upon striking the stop S, the wire isperiodically severed by the cutting tool CT non-rotatably but adjustablymounted in the cutter or arm C which comprises set screws l2 (Figs. 8,26 and 2'7) for fixedly holding the cutting tool in place and flush withthe transverse face iii of the cutter.

The non-circular opening l4 in the body of the cutter rectilinearly andslidably guides the cutting tool CT which can be shifted towards face l3by the set screw l5 threadably mounted on the end plate EP removablyfastened to the cutter, and a check nut N adjustably mounted on setscrew [5 holds the latter against accidental rotation.

It should be observed, however, that the check nut N is provided with aslot or recess l6 defined by the spaced portions [1, through which isthreaded the wire W as it is intermittently fed by the wire feedingrollers Ill and ll.

of importance also is the aperture or opening l8 in the body ofremovable end plate EP and this aperture is in registration or alinementwith 8 I the wire feeding opening or aperture It in the body of thecutter and the slot I. of the removable checkpnutN.

Unidirectional path of travel 6 actuated by and meshes with the gear 36(Figs. 2, 4 and 5) appropriately fixed on shaft 3! sustained by andjournalled in bearing blocks 46 and 4i (Fig. 4) appropriately fastenedto the bed the body of the cutter onto wire positioning groove 26 of theanvil A and in the alined wire positioning groove 2| in one of the wireshaping blocks SB, across the gap or throat T and onto the wirepositioning groove 22 of the other but companion wire shaping block SBand to and against'the adjustable stop S.

Endless chain guide frame Supporting the threaded stop S is a bracketplate BD. More particularly teeth.42- of the gear 38 coact with thewalls of the teeth receiving notches 35 of the links 25 to facilitatedriving the endless chain EC through the guide frame defined byplatesF.

But the chain EC is directly driven by gear 43 (Fig. 2) at the rear ofthe frame. This gear is fastened to the main drive shaft 44 sustained bythe spaced bearing blocks 45, 62 and 41 (Fig. 1).

23 attached to a ledge or fiangeL appropriately fixedly arranged to benormal to the direction of travel of the wire W as it is intermittentlyfed unidirectionally across the throat T. These spaced frame plates Fhave appropriately and fixedly anchored thereto the upper and lowercooperating spaced pairs of channeled shaped races CR (Figs. 3 and 4)having alincd channels or grooves 24 defining track means for movablyand continuously guiding the hinged pins H of the several pivoted links25 of the endless chain EC.

The endless continuously driven chain and stabilized wire driving postsEach of the links 25 is provided with a fixedly anchored wire bendingpost 26 (Figs. 8 and 15) held in place by set screw 21. Backing up andreinforcing each, upstandin binding post 26 is a shock absorbing block28 provided with a It should be observed however that the main driveshaft 44 receives its power through gear means I56 anda sprocket chain46 connected to a suitable motor not shown.

The transmission jar driving the wire crimping rollers, the endlesschain, and the wire feed rollers Coupled to the main drive shaft 44(Fig. 32) is the beveled 'gear 49 for driving the companion beveled gear56 attached to the vertical stub shaft 5| to which is keyed gear '52 fordriving gear 53 keyed to stub shaft 54. Associated with and driven bypinion 53 is the gear 55, keyed to vertical shaft 56 to which gear 51and one of the wire clinching rollers KR are keyed. However, gear 5'!drives a companion gear 58 on shaft 59 carrying the other companion wirecrimping roller KR. By this arrangement the pair of wire crimping wheelsor rollers KR are continuously rotating during rotation of the maindrive shaft 44.

When the main drive shaft 44 is rotating, the endless chain EC isactuated by the driven gear 43 (Fig. 2) appropriately keyed to shaft 44.Congroove 29 for receiving the shank of its-adjacent post 26. Each block28 includes a depending (Figs-8 and 16) and at another end a pair ofspaced perforated ears 33 while the bottom portion of each link embodiesa tooth 34 straddled by teeth receiving notches 35. Each link alsoincludes a curved and forwardly and downwardly projecting scoop or tailportion 35 for carrying off undesirable steel particles to preventclogging. When the pivoted links 25 are assembled and driven through theframe defined by the spaced plates F, the outer side faces 36 of thelinks are close to but parallel to the inner faces 31 of the upper andlower fixedly anchored races CR. By this arrangement the chain EC isstabilized and lateral play of the links 25 is precluded durin 1 theirtravel in the frame.

The endless chain EC continuously driven and guided in the frame betweenthe plates F is also sequently front gear 38 is set in motion by theendless chain EC, hence causing the rotation of the drive shaft 38 onwhich the cam or control means 66 and 6| are fastened. Therefore shaft39 is always rotating during rotation of the main drive shaft 44. Shaft39 is sustained by or journalled in the bearing block 40 and by bearingblock 4| attached to the bed BD by suitable bolts 46 and by theauxiliary bearing 63 appropriately fastened to the bearing block 64(Figs. 3 and 4).

As previously stated, rotation of the main drive shaft 44 ultimatelycauses the pair of wire crimping rollers KR to rotate through theintermediary of the gears 52, 53, 55, 51 and 58. However at this timethe floating wire feeding wheel or roller I I is also rotated by thedriven and revolving gear (Fig. 33) which drives gear 65 keyed to stubshaft 66 on which is mounted gear 61 operating gear 68 attached to shaft69 carrying the wire feeding roller H. The companion wire feeding rollerIII is fastened on shaft 10 (Fig. 30) in the bearing block 64 .(Fig. 4)and rotated by gear 'II on shaft 10 driven by gear 68. It is thusapparent that the companion wire feeding rollers l6 and II alsocontinuously rotate during the operation of the main drive shaft 44.

Briefly recapitulating once the main drive shaft 44 has started torotate, the endless chain EC is driven; the companion crimping rollersKR are.

Escapement for periodically oscillating the cutter The cutter C isfixedly anchored on the oscillatory shaft 12 (Figs. 4 and e) suitablyjournalled in the bearing blocks 13 and GI and is adapted toCorresponding faces as 16 'cf the teeth 14 of toothed wheel 68successively coact with the depending tooth 11 of the cutter advancingpawl KA, causing the latter to be periodically raised hence rotating theoscillating shaft 12 in a counter clockwise direction (Fig. 10) ortowards the wire W. Since the cutter C is also fastened to the rockingshaft 12 and inasmuch as the latter has been rocked or partiallyrotated, the cutter is bodily swung in a direction towards the wire W.By this action the cutting tool CT is brought transversely across thewire W retained in groove 20 on the anvil A, and the wire is thussevered however, thereafter pausing slightly and awaiting to be driveninto the throat T of the spaced shaping block-s SB.

Shortly pursuant to such cutting operation during rotation of the cam orescapement actuating wheels 60 and GI which in fact rotate together atall times, tooth is of the retracting pawl KR falls into a notch '15 ofcam wheel BI and a wall 19 of the latter causes the retracting pawl KBof the escapement to tilt in a clockwise direction, thus partiallyrotatin the oscillatory shaft 12 in a similar direction, consequentlybodily retracting the cutter C. It therefore follows that the cutter isagain. awaiting to go through a complete operating cycle, that is, swungto cut, and thereafter swung to retract. This complete stroke or cycletakes place many times during one revolution of the driven shaft 39 orin other words, during one revolution of the cam wheel 80 and 6|. Asillustrated, seven complete cycles per one revolution of shaft 39 ispossible and if desired and as is well understood the number of cyclesmay be increased or decreased depending upon the number of teeth as 14and grooves as 15 are employed on the cam wheels 68 and BI. It is thusseen that wire W even though threaded and passing through the cutter isperiodically severed or cut at a time however when th feed of the wireis stopped for an instant as will be hereinafter more particularlypointed out.

Continuously rotating rollers for intermittently feeding the wire stockto and through the 0scillatory cutter an annular and uninterruptedgroove or race while the companion roller In fastened on shaft ever therim surface'of the roller I0 is interrupted-by the gaps 8|, feeding ofthe wire is interrupted. By this action the wire is thus intermittentlyfed. However during such interruption the cutter is operated to severthe wire.

Moreover inasmuch as the effective feeding portions of the roller IIIare between the gaps 8| and since these feeding portions havesubstantially equivalent effective operating areas, predeterminedlengths of wire are fed across the throat T of the spaced shaping blocksSB, the

arrangement being such, that when feeding of the wire has ceased orinterrupted the cutter C instantly swings into position to sever thewire. For example, in Fig. 18 a predetermined length of wire W isbetween the stop S and the cutter C and across the throat T. The wire atthis time is interrupted and at the next instant the cutter C has beenswung bodily towards the wire, caus- 11;; the cutting too" CT to severthe wire (Fig. l

Thereafter the cutter C retracts, and the j feeding of the wire iscontinued through the check nut N, through the end plate EP, and

through the body of the cutter and in Fig. 21 a predetermined length ofwire is again in posi- Or in other words, predetermined lengths of wirefed are suction for severing by the cutter.

cessivcly positioned before the throat T.

Even though the wire is fed intermittently it is sustained in positionacross the throat T and is ready to be bent by a bend ng post 26 of alink 1 The thrust absorbing key to sustain proper alinement of the wireshaping blocks Attention is directed to the thrust absorbing key Karranged in one of the frame plates F (Figs. 1, 16 and 17) and this keyalso positions the anvil carrying shaping block SB on this frame plate.It also has an additional function, to take the strain ofi adjacentbolts 82. This strain is created on each severing of the wire by thecutter and the thrust imparted is absorbed by the key K instead of theadjacent bolts 82, hence preventing the latter from shearing. In otherwords, the key absorbs the stress produced on severing of the wire andthus relieves strain on the adjacent bolts. Because of the action thewire shaping blocks are maintained in proper alinement, that is, theopposed and alined wire shaping channels 84 in communication with theguide slot 85 for the reception of the reinforced or stabilized drivingand bending pins or posts 26 of the endless chain EP are kept true, theguide slot 85 being.

defined by the overhanging guide lips 86 (Fig. 25) and the bosses 81extending from the shaping blocks SB although just slightly to the rearof the throat T each has an inclined cam face 88 for elevating the bentwire now designated a wireform WF (Fig. 20) onto the bosses or shoulders81 to be received closely but movably in the longitudinally arrangedopposing wire shaping recesses or channels 84 wherein the shanks 88 ofthe wireform WF are urged towards each other in view of their closeconfinement in the opposed shaping channels 84 extending the entirelength of the spacing blocks SB.

The continuously rotating wire clinching rollers The opposed clinchingrollers KR toward the end of the travel of the wireform WF in the spacedshaping blocks SB'coact with the successive driving posts 29 to clinchthe loop portion of the wireform and to close the shanks 99 thereof,that is, these rollers form the eye E (Fig. 24) and arrange the shanks99 of the wireform in close juxtaposition. To this audit will beobserved that the clinching rollers KR are provided with a plurality ofnotches 99 interrupting their annular races 9|.

The loop of the wireform WF first leaves the shaping blocks SB (Fig. 22)and ultimately is received between a pair of alined clinching notches orgrooves 99 (Fig. 23) in the opposing clinching wheels or rollers KR. Thewalls of these clinching notches bend the loop closely around thedriving post 26 and as the latter is driven between the crimping orclinching rollers KR the races or grooves 9| cause the shanks 99 to bearranged closely against each other '(Fig. 24).

Automatic stripper or kick-0.0 for completed wireform The clinchingrollers also cause the eye E of the wireform WF to cling firmly to itsdriving post which continues in its path of travel because of theorbital displacement of the driving endless chain EC. Eventually theclinched wireform or article of manufacture is driven, that is, the eyethereof onto the spaced but fixed cams or strippers 92(Figs. 1 and 2)which function to remove the completed wireform from its driving andcarrying post 29 and falls into a suitable chute 93 (Fig. 5) and into acollecting receptacle not shown.

It should be understood of course that the operation of the machine iscontinuous and as each of successive driving posts of the chain EC reachthe throat T, a predetermined length of wire is awaiting to be bent andfed into the spaced shaping blocks. SB for shaping, thereafter betweenthe crimping or clinching rollers Kit for further deforming, andthereafter fed to the inclined stripper means or spaced cams 92 forautomatic removal from the machine.

Automatic and compensatory means for involun- Bucklinoof wire in itstravel touiards the oscillatoru cutter is precluded Referring. now .backto the wire guard or track G, the latter is appropriately secured to theoil?- set arm I92 (Figs. 1 and'6) which inturn is sustained by asuitable bolt I99 attached to the between the wire feed rollers 1 Tocompensate for irregularities in the thicknesses of the wire W fedbetween the rotary feed rollers I9 and II, roller II is yieldablydisposed and may be considered as floating although it is normally urgedtowards its companion roller I9 by the spring 94 (Figs. 1 and 7)disposed in recess 99 of the swingably guided bearing block 99 hinged onthe fulcrum pin 91 fixedly anchored in the fixed bearing block -69. Moreparticularly floating shaft 99 rotates in the hinged hearing or hearingblock 99 swingably guided in recess 99 of the fixed bearing block 94 inwhich shaft 19 of the companion feed roller I9 is notata-bly' driven andguided.

Cooperating with the spring 99 is the-adjustable threaded bolt 99mounted on the closure plate I99 removably and fixedly fastened to thefixed bearing 94 in any well known manner. By adjusting bolt 99, flangeI9I thereof compresses or relaxes spring 99. If relaxed, greater hingeddisplacement of the feed roller II is possible. if compressed lessdisplacement takes place.

closure plate I99 fastened to the fixed bearing block 94. By thisarrangement the wire between the feed rollers I9 and II, and the cutterC is desirably held against buckling or vibration and isunidirectionally guided until it reaches the adjustable stop S at whichtime it is severed.

During operation of the machine, fine particles at times chip oif thewire and these are precluded from'entering between the hingedlyconnected links 25 of the endless chain EC in the provision a closureI99 removably held by pins I across gap I99 between ears or knuckles 33between which is closely guided a companion link. Thus the chain iscaused to operate smoothly and without being needlessly scratched orinterfered with, particularly so in that vertical sides 36 of each link25 is closely and movably guided by the vertical inside faces 31 of thefixed races CR- (Fig. 4) of the frame plates F, although it should benoted that eachof the shaping blocks SB is provided with a reliefchannel I91 (Fig. 16) providing an outlet for powdered parti- The brakemechan sm to prevent feeding of wire across the shaping blocks less inlength than required predetermined lengths Previous mention was made ofthe brakes B (Figs. 1 and 6) which consists of a housing I99 removablyfastened by screws I99 to the fixed bearing 64. This housing has itsspaced legs. H9 and II I provided withthe bores I I2 in which thehelicoidal springs II3 are confined. V These springs coact to urge theslidably guided timiblers H9 towards a pair of floating discs H5 closelybut rotatably confined in a tapered recess or bearing IIB having theoutwardly converging walls I".

Specifically the wire W is fed through a guideaperture H8 at the outerend of the housing I98 and between the race or groove II9 of one of therotatable discs H5 and against the uninterrupted rim of the companiondisc I I5 and through the medially arranged bore I29 in the housing andinto a guiding aperture I2I in the end plate I22 fastened to the housingI99. Thereafter the wire W is fed directly between the feed rollers I9and. II. A cover plate I23 is suitably removably held on the housing toprevent the moving parts within the brake housing from being taken wardsduring its instantaneous pauses, that is,

periodically during each revolution of the feed 8| is effective topreventfeeding of the wire. By clamping the wire for just a relativelyshortinstant, feeding of the wire in lengths less than the requiredpredetermined lengths is avoided.

Adjustable set screws I42 cooperate with the discs I15 to regulate theirretraction and control the time interval for clamping the wire to arrestits feeding.

If for any reason the wire has a tendency to feed or slip in an opp sitedirection such action instantly is resisted in that the'dlscs II5immediately and automatically are urged towards the contracted portionof ,recess II6 by springs II2, thus instantly clamping the wire. therebyarresting its movement. Once however the wire is again fed towards thefeed rollers I and II, the discs II unclamp the wire, permitting ;its

' travel as desired.

Endless chain take up mechanism Should the links 25 of the endless chainno wear during operation of the machine, such wear is compensated for.To this end it will be observed that the main drive shaft 44 may bebodily shifted in a direction towards or away from the wirefeeding andcrimping rollers, Specifically the frame plates F include the. alinedand slightly elongated slots I (Figs. 1, 2 and 28) thus permitting themain drive shaft 44 to be displaced when its bearings 45 and 62 securedby bolts as I25 to the slidable plate P (Figs. 2 and 28 are bodilyshifted on the adjustment of plate P).

This metal plate P is provided with a. depending rib I21 (Fig. 29)slidably guided lengthwise of the machine in the recess or track I28 inthe metal block or bed plate BD which is fastened by bolts I29 to thebracket I30 having the bearing I3I wherein the stub shaft I32 of arotatable manipulator generally denoted M is journalled. Collars I33 andI34 of the manipulator M rotatablystraddle the bifurcated bearing I3Iand extending from collar I34 is the threaded stem. I35

threadably received by a block I36 Ifastened'by rivets I31 to theslidably guided plate P. By this arrangement rotation of the manipulatorM causes the slidable block I36 to be moved towards in bearings 45 and62 is likewise correspondingly displaced relative to the spaced andalined elongated slots I25 (Fig. 28) in the spaced guide frame plate Fwhich carry the upper and lower races. CR to prevent the endless chainECfrom chattering, in a direction widthwise of the shaping blocks SB,hence stabilizing this chain.

or due-to any other causes.

. 12 rear end of shaft 44 may be shifted relative to the bed plate.After such adjustment, the bolts I33 are clamped, and the rear bearing41 is held in a fixed position.

By the arrangement just set out, adjacent'of the supporting bearings 45,82 and 41 for the main drive shaft'is possible and thereafter when themanipulator M is actuated, shaft 44 is displaced and consequently drivegear 43 (Fig. 2) carried by shaft 44 .is displaced. Following thedisplacement of the drive gear 43-the endless chain EC iscorrespondingly adjusted, that is, extended as desired to compensate forirregularities due to wear Pursuant to such adjustment the clampingbolts I39 for the rear bearing 41 are fastened to prevent dislodgementof these bearings. However it should be noted that the heads I of thebolts I39 are also displaceable relative to the elongated openings I43in the bed BD. If therefore these bolts are loosened the threaded shanksare adjustable in elongated openings I38. and the heads I40 of thesebolts are displaceable in-the openings I43.

Lateral adjustment of one of the crimping rollers Due to uncontrollablevariations in the thickness of the-wire, at times it is necessary tolaterally adjust one of the wire crimping rollers KR relative to theother. This is accomplished in adjustably mounting an interveningbearing I45 (Figs. 2,5, 6 and GA) on a fixed ledge L. Specifically thisintervening bearing I45 has spaced elongated openings or slots I46surrounding the the hub I50 in which shaft 59 is also journalled.

If therefore, bearing I45 is adjusted shaft 59 is. correspondinglydisplaced. Consequently the crimping roller K fastened to this shaft islikewise correspondingly displaced widthwise of the machine or towardsor away from its companion clinching roller. However the lower end ofshaft 59 (Fig. 6) is also journalled in a slightly tapered bore I5I ofthe hub I52 of the bearing block I53 fastened to the bed plate BD. Byreason of the The other end of the main drive shaft 44 is journalled aspreviously stated in the rear bearing 41 (Figs. 1 and 31). Thisbearingmay be adjustably fixed relative to the bed plate BD. For this purposethe bed plate is provided with the elongated openings I34, permittingthe adjustable bolts I39 to be displaced relative to these elongatedopenings I33 when this rear bearing is shifted but this must be done ata time when the heads "3 ofthe bolts are unclamped from the shouldersI4I. It follows that by unloosening bolts I39, the rear bearing andconsequently the tapered bore, shaft 59 may be slightly tilted asdesired to compensate for the adjustment thereof on shifting of thebearing block I45 relative to its supporting ledge L.

As illustrated the rollers Ill and II are adapted to feed half roundwire in that the rim of roller I I is provided with the race or groove30 while the rim of the roller is uninterrupted except for thenon-feeding wire gaps 8|. Obviously full round, flat, and other shapedwire and many typesof cross sectional shaped strip material may be alsofed through themachine. Where full round wire is used each of the feedrollers would have a race as and in the case of feeding flat wire,roller I0 would remain as is while the roller II would have the rim ofroller III however without nonfeeding wire gaps. Where full'round, flator other shaped material or metal stock is'employed l3 for urposes ofinspection or for repair. The machines may be readily dismantled sincemost of the bearing blocks or bearings are removably secured. And accessmay be readily had to the cutter and the cuttingtool by removing the endplate EP. The fixedly held but removable anvil A is an alloy, known inthe trade as Stellite. The bolts employed are generally known as hollowhead cap screws and thus may be readily adjusted or clamped. Of coursewhile at times it is desirable to clinch the wireform, there are timeswhen this may not be needed. Hence at such times the clinching rollersmay be removed.

Where even faster production is required per revolution of the wire feedrollers, feed roller It may be replaced by another roller having morethan four non-feeding gaps, and of course the control means or cam means60 and BI would be modified accordingly. Then again stop 8 may berotated for adjustment to take care of increasing or decreasing desiredpredetermined lengths of wireas the case may be. The links escapementmeans for periodically oscillating said cutter to sever predeterminedlengths of said stock, rotary means for continuously but intermittentlyfeeding said predetermined lengths of said stock to said shaping means,and means for successively driving previously fed predeterminedlengthsof said stock by said rotary means length, escapement means foroscillating said cutter, an endless chain having bending means fordriving said predetermined length through said shaping means, means fordriving said endof the wire deforming driving chain EC are plate BD andto the feed roller bearing 64 while the auxiliary bearing 63 sustainingone end of the stub shaft 39 is suitably attached to the hearing block64 and to the end block I55 which imparts a certain rigidity to thebearing 64, thus desirably stabilizing the latter. Also a hand wheel HWis mounted on the main drive shaft 44 to overcome the initial inertia instarting of the motor (not shown) for driving sprocket chain 48, thusrotating pinion I56, keyed to shaft 44, and consequently the latter.

By the present invention, because of each succeeding step in the methodherein pointed out follows almost immediately pursuant to the completionof its preceding step, no appreciable lost motion is encountered. Thusby utilizing the rotary wire feeding means, and driving thepredetermined lengths of wire almost instantly into the wire shapingmeans $3, the action is rapid and in prompt succession, thus appreciablystepping up production many times that is' possible in the case of theslide type of wireforming machines particularly so in that whilesuccessive predetermined lengths of wire are continuously butnevertheless interruptedly fed .by the rotary feed rollers across theshaping means defined that prior to the adjustment of the slidable plateP, bolts I60 (Figs. 5 and 28) are unclamped therefrom, thus'permittingslots iii to be displaced relative to these bolts when plate P isshifted. After the adjustment ofplate P, bolts iii! are 4 againtightened thereagainst to retain the set position.

Various changes may be made in the details of construction, andarrangementof parts without departing from the spirit of the inventionor sacrificing any of the advantages therein.

I claim: I

1. In combination, shaping means for deforming metal stock, a cutter forsevering said stock,

less chain, means for actuating said escapement means, and means fordriving said rotary means. 1

3. In combination, shaping means for deforming metal stock, rotary meansfor successively and intermittently feeding predetermined lengths ofsaid stock to said shaping means, cutting means for periodically andsuccessively severing said predetermined lengths, escapement means foroscillating said cutting means spatially arranged stock bending meansfor successively driving said predetermined lengths undirectionallythrough said shaping means, means for driving said bending means, meansfor actuating said escapement means, and means for driving said rotarymeans.

4. In combination, spaced shaping means for deforming a wire or stripmetal material, a cutter, escapement means for actuating said cutter forsuccessively severing predetermined lengths of said wire or material,rotary means having means for intermittently and successively feedingsaid predetermined lengths of said wire or material to said shapingmeans, an endless chain having a plurality of pivotally interconnectedlinks each havin bending means for successively driving saidpredetermined lengths unidirectionally and completely through saidshaping means, means for driving said endless chain, rotary means foroscillating said escapement means, means for driving said rotary means,and means for stabilizing said chain during its travel through saidshapingmeans.

' 5. In a machine for making a wireform from wire, shaping means havinga throat and having spaced walls defining a gap and having spaced andopposing wire shaping channels, cam means below said channels, means forfeeding said wire across said shaping means, pin means movably guided insaid gap for bending said wire against said shaping means to define saidwireform and for elevating saidwireform along said cam means and intosaid channels and for subsequently driving said wireform through saidchannels to shape said wireform, and means for driving said pin means.

6. In a. machine for making a wireform from wire, spaced blocks defininga gap and having spaced and opposing wire shaping channels, inclinedmeans extending from said blocks below said channels, means for feedingsaid wire across said blocks, pin means movably uided in said gap forbending said wire against said blocks to define said wireform forelevating said wireform means for crimping said wireform against said,

pin means pursuant to its travel through said channels.

7. In a machine for successively making wireforms from wire, spacedblocks defining a gap and having spaced opposing wire shaping channels,rotary means for successively and interruptedly feeding said wire acrosssaid blocks, hingely interconnected links defining an endless chain,post means carried by said links and movably guided in said gap, meansfor driving said chain to arrange said post means of successive links ofsaid chain against successive portions of said wire to bend the latterand successively drive said portions into said channels to shape saidbent portions, a frame, means sustaining said blocks on said frame, keymeans interposed between said frame and blocks for relieving the shockimparted to said bloclm on bending of said wire by said posts, androtary means for driving said chain.

8. In a machine for successively making wireforms from wire, spacedblocks defining a gap and having spaced and opposing wire shapingchannels, companion rotary means comprising oppositely rotating rollersone of which embodies an interrupted rim for successively andinterruptedly feeding said wire across said blocks, hingedlyinterconnected links defining an endless chain, post means carried bysaid links and movably guided in said gap, means for driving said chainto arrange said post means of successive links of said chain againstsuccessive portions of said wire to bend the latter and successivelydrive said portions into said channels to shape said bent portions,rotary driving means for actuating said chain, a cutter, rotatablecontrol means, and escapement means effective upon rotation of saidcontrol means for oscillating said cutter to successively severpredetermined lengths of said wire across said blocks.

9. In a. machine for successively making wireforms from wire, spacedblocks defining a gap and having spaced and opposing wire shapingchannels, rotary means for successively and interruptedly feeding saidwire across said blocks, hingedly interconnected links definin anendless chain, post means carried by said links, means for driving saidchain to arrange said post-means of successive links of said chainagainst successuccessively drive said portions into said channels, toshape said bent portions, rotary means for driving said chain, means forstabilizing said chain, and means for adjusting said chain to compensatefor any wear thereof.

10. In a machine for successively making wireforms from wire, shapingmeans having spaced walls defining a gap and having spaced and opbearingfor yieldably sustaining the other roller of said'pair.

11. A machine for forming wire comprising shaping means for sustainingsaid wire, a frame for supporting said shaping means, fastening meansfor removably holding said shaping means on said frame, key means forpositioning said shaping means on said frame, a cutter threadablyreceiving said wire, means for oscillating said outter to successivelysever said wire pursuant to its travel from said cutter onto saidshaping means, and said key means adapted to absorb the impact of saidcutter on severing of said wire to prevent shearing of said fasteningmeans.

12. In combination, wire shaping means, driving means, an endless chain.actuated by said driving'means and,having spaced posts, frame meanshaving races for guiding said chain and for stabilizing the latter, ashaft, means driven by said chain for rotating said shaft, control meansmounted on said shaft, a supplementary shaft, a rockable cutter carriedby said supple- -sive portions of said wire to bend the latter andposing wire shaping channels, rotary means for continuously andsuccessively but interruptedly feeding said wire across said shapingmeans comprising a pair of companion rollers one of which embodies a rimprovided with one or more gaps, hingedly interconnected links definingan endless chain, post means carried by each of said links, means fordriving said chain to arrange said post means of successiv links of saidchain against successive portions of said wire to bend the latter andsuccessively drive said portions into said channels to shape saidportions, rotary means for driving said chain, a bearing sustain j ingone of said-rollers, and resiliently controlled adjustable meanspivotally connected to said mentary shaft, and escapement means actuatedby said control means for oscillating said supple- .mentary shaft andcorrespondingly rock said outter in a direction towards or away fromsaid shaping means.

13. In combination, wire shaping means, driving means, an endless chainactuated by said driving means and comprising pivotally interconnectedlinks each having reinforced wire bending means, frame means havingraces for guiding said links and for stabilizing said chain, a shaft,means driven by said chain for rotating said shaft, control meansmounted on said shaft, a supplementary shaft, a rockable cutter carriedby said supplementary shaft, escapement means actuated by said controlmeans for oscillating said supplementary shaft and correspondingly rocksaid cutter in a direction towards or away.

crum means pivotally interconnecting adjacent links of said plurality,frame means having races for guiding said fulcrum means and forstabilizing said chain, a shaft, means driven by said chain for rotatingsaid shaft, control means mounted on said shaft, a supplementary shaft,a rockable cutter carried by said supplementary shaft, escapement meansactuated by said control means for. oscillating said supplementaryshaft.

and correspondingly rock said cutter in a direction towards or away fromsaid shaping means, an adjustable cutting tool carried by said cutter, apair of rotary wire feeding rollers, means driven by said driving meansfor rotating said rollers,

. one of said rollers having an indented rim providing one or morenon-wire feeding gaps, and resiliently controlled adjustable means foryieldihgly urging one of said feed rollers towards the other feed rollerto compensate for uncontrollable variations of the thicknesses of wirefed between said rollers.

15. In combination, wire shaping means havtently feeding wire towardssai shaping means, a

rockable cutter carried by sai supplementary shaft and 'threadablyreceiving said wire, escapement means actuated by said control meansforoscillatingsaid supplementary shaft and correspondingly rock said cutterin a direction towards and away from said anvil, said wire bending meansdriving said wire unidirectionally through said shaping means, one ofsaid rotary wire feeding rollers having non-feeding wire portions forinterruptin'gthe travel of said wire, rotary means for clamping saidwire during non-feeding intervals thereof, a transmission controlled bysaid driving means for actuating said wire feeding rollers, a pair ofrotary crimping rollers at one end of said shaping means for deformingsaid wire on leaving of said shaping means, and means for adjusting oneof said crimping rollers relative to its companion crimping roller.

16. In a'wireforming machine, a frame, spaced races sustained by saidframe and having alined tracks and having spaced walls, an endless chainhaving a plurality of links closely but movably interposed between saidwalls, fulcrum means pivotally interconnecting said links and movablyguided on said tracks, spaced blocks mounted on said frame and defininga longitudinally disposed gap, post means carried by each of said linksand movably guided through said gap, said blocks having. alined andspaced grooves, inclined means ex-' tending from said blocks in advanceof said grooves, automatic means for interruptedly feeding predeterminedlen ths .of wire across said blocks, and said post means adapted to bendsaid lengths against said blocks to define wireforms elevated on saidinclined means and driven successively by said post means into saidspaced grooves of said spaced blocks.

17. In a wire formingmachine, a frame, spaced races sustained by saidframe and having alined tracks and having spaced walls, an endless chainand spaced grooves. inclined means extending from said blocks in advanceofsaid grooves, automatic means for interruptedly feeding predeter minedlengths of wire across said blocks; driving means in, mesh with saidtoothed means'foractuating said chain for successively moving said postmeans against said lengths to bend said lengths against said'blocks toform wireforms elevated on said inclined means and driven by said postmeans into said spaced grooves of said spaced blocks, and key meansinterposed between said frame and at least one of said blocks forabsorbing the thrust on said lengths in forming said wireform.

19. In a wireforming machine, a frame, spaced races sustained by saidframe and having alined tracks and having spaced walls, an endless chainhaving a plurality of links closely but movably interposed between saidwalls, toothed means extending from each of said links, fulcrum meanspivotally interconnecting said links and movably guided on said tracks,spaced blocks mounted on said frame and defining a longitudinallydisposed gap, post means carried by each of said links and movablyguided through said gap, said blocks having alined and spaced grooves,inclined means extending from said blocks in advance of said grooves,automatic means for interruptedly feeding predetermined lengths of wireacross said blocks, driving means in mesh withsaid toothed means foractuating said chain for successively driving said post means againstsaid lengths to bend said lengths against said blocks to definewireforms elevated on said inclined means and driven by said post meansinto said spaced grooves of said spaced blocks, and each of said linkshaving a shock absorbing block disposed against its respective postmeans for stabilizing the latter.

20. In a machine for making wireforms from wire, spaced wire shapingmeans, an endless belt e having a plurality of pivotally interconnectedlinks having a plurality of links closely but movably post means againstsaid lengths to bend said lengths against said blocks to define wireforms elevated on said inclined means and driven by said post means intosaid spaced grooves of said spaced blocks. I

18. In a wire forming machine, a frame, spaced races sustained by saidframe andhaving alirfed tracks and having spaced walls, an endless chainhaving a plurality of links closely but movably interposed between saidwalls, toothed means extending from each link, fulcrum means pivotallyinterconnecting said links and movably guided on said tracks, spacedblocks mounted on said frame and defining a longitudinally disposed gap,post means carried by each of said links and movably guided through saidgap, said blocks having alined each having upstanding post means forsuccessively driving predetermined lengths of said wire between saidshaping means to define wireforms, companion means for clinching saidwireforms against said post means, and means for automatically andsuccessively stripping said clinched wireforms from said post means.

21. In a machine for making wireforms from wire, spaced wire shapingmeans, an endless belt 9 having a plurality of pivotally interconnectedlinks each having upstanding post means for successively drivingpredetermined lengths of said wire between said shaping means to definewireforms,

tween said shaping means to define wireforms,

companion and notched rollers for clinching said wireforms against saidpost means, and means for automatically and successively stripping saidclinched wireforms from said post means.

22. In a machine for making wireforms from wire, spaced wire shapingmeans, an endless belt having a plurality of pivotally interconnectedlinks each having upstanding post means for driving predeterminedlengths of said wire between said shaping means to define wireforms,companion rollers for clinching said wireforms against said post means,means for automatically and successively stripping said clinchedwireforms from said post means, and means to provide for adjusting oneof said rollers.

23. In a machine for making wireforms from wire, spaced wire shapingmeans, an endless belt having a plurality of pivotally interconnectedlinks each having upstanding post means for driving predeterminedlengths of said wire becompanion and notched rollers for clinching 7having a plurality of pivotally interconnected links each havingupstanding post means for driving predetermined lengths of said wirebetween said shaping means to define wireforms, companion and notchedrollers for clinching aid wireforms against said post means, and spacedand inclined means for automatically and successively stripping saidclinched wireforms from said post means.

25. In a machine for making wireforms from wire, spaced wire shapingmeans, an endless chain having a plurality of pivotally interconnectedlinks each having upstanding post means for driving predeterminedlengths of said wire between said shaping means to define wireforms,each of said links having toothed means, gear means adapted to be inmesh with each of said toothed means, a shaft sustaining said gearmeans, bearing means supporting said shaft, and adjustable meansproviding for displacement of said bearing means to permit shifting ofsaid gear means to take up the slack of said chain.

26. In a machine for making wireforms from wire, spaced wire shapingmeans, an endless chain having a plurality of pivotally interconnectedlinks each having upstanding post means for driving predeterminedlengths of said wire between said shaping means to define wireforms,each of said links having toothed means, gear means adapted to be inmesh with each of said toothed means, a shaft sustaining said gearmeans, bearing means supporting said shaft, a slidable plate sustainingsaid bearing means, a support having means for slidably guiding saidplate, and adjustable means connected to said plate and sustained bysaid support for bodily displacing said shaft and gear means to take upthe slack of said chain.

27. In a machine for making wireforms from wire, spaced wire shapingmeans, an endless chain having a plurality of pivotally interconnectedlinks each having upstanding post means for driving predeterminedlengths of said wire between said shaping means to define wireforms,

each of said links having toothed means, gear means adapted to be inmesh with each of said toothed means, a shaft sustaining said gearmeans, a support, a plate mounted on said support, means for movablyguiding said plate on said support, bearing means carried by saidsupport for sustaining said shaft, and adjustable means for displacingsaid plate relative to said support.

28. In a machine for making wireforms from wire, spaced wire shapingmeans, an endless chain having a plurality of pivotally interconnectedlinks each having upstanding post means for driving predeterminedlengths of said wire between said shaping means to define wireforms,each of said links having toothed means, gear means adapted to be inmesh with each of said secured to said plate, and rotatable meanssustained by said support and threadably connectedto said block fordisplacing said bearings relative to said support.

29. In a wire forming machine, a cutter arm having an opening and a wireguiding aperture, a cutting tool non-rotatably but slidablyguided insaid opening, an end plate mounted on said arm and having a wire guidingopening in registration with said aperture, adjustable means mounted onsaid end plate for displacing said cutting tool relative to said arm,means mounted on said adjustable means to prevent displacement of thelatter relative to said plate and having a wire guiding slot inregistration with said wire guiding opening, and means for periodicallyoscillating said cutter arm.

30. In a wire forming machine. a cutter arm having an opening and a wireguiding aperture, a cutting tool slidably guided in said opening,

. an end plate mounted on said arm and having a wire guiding opening inregistration with said aperture, adjustable threaded means mounted onsaid end plate for shifting said cutting tool to be substantially flushwith one face of said arm, a check nut mounted on said threaded means toprevent displacement of the latter relative to said plate and having awire guiding slot in registration with said wire guiding opening, andmeans for periodically oscillating said cutter arm 31. The hereindescribed method of making wire forms, which includes the steps ofconcurrently feeding a substantially continuous length of wire, severingsaid continuou length of wire into short cut lengths feeding saidsuccessive cut lengths of wire into the path of a series of spacedelements moving continuously in a predetermined straight line path,shaping the cut lengths of wire on said elements while travelling insaid path, moving the elements with the wires shaped thereon betweenmoving forming tools arranged in said straight line path to shape thewire forms to predetermined contour in passage toothed means, a shaftsustaining said gear through said tools, and then ejecting the formedwire forms from said elements.

ALBERT s. warm.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file ofthis patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 261,977 Adt Sept. 1, 1882 319,301Mower June 2, 1885 334,909 Tomson Jan. 26, 1886 365,121 Doolittle June21, 1887 390,315 Shipley Oct. 7, 1888 692,528 Kirkpatrick et al. Feb. 4,1902 1,336,660 Sims Apr. 13, 1920 1,360,234 Lewis Nov. 23, 19201,554,603 Servias Sept. 22, 1925 1,641,631 Hofiman Sept. 6, 19271,691,516 Glore Nov. 13, 1928 1,718,200 Baumann June 18, 1929 1,993,483Leland Mar. 5, 1935 2,239,964 Hoffert Apr. 29, 1941 FOREIGN PATENTSNumber Country Date 237,792 Great Britain Sept. 6, 1925

